Minister for Defence – Canberra based company awarded radar development contract

28 November 2013

Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston today announced the award of a Standing Offer contract to Canberra based company CEA Technologies, to develop high powered Phased Array Radar technology.
Senator Johnston said the contract for the development of systems based on the CEAFAR radar would support a number of future Defence acquisitions.

“The CEAFAR radar is currently being fitted to the ANZAC Class Frigates as part of a major upgrade,” Senator Johnston said.
The radar has proven to be a significant enhancement to self and local area defence against modern anti-ship missiles and has performed successfully in recent trials.

“This radar is a world-leading capability for a system of its weight and size and importantly, is considerably more cost-effective than comparable systems,” Senator Johnston said.

“The development of high power phased array radar based on the CEAFAR system builds on the substantial investment in domestic radar-related research and development.”

Senator Johnston said the CEAFAR radar is a focus of the phased array radar element of the High Frequency and Phased Array Radar Priority Industry Capability (PIC).

“The High Frequency and Phased Array Radar (PIC) defines world leading radar capabilities that are locally developed in Australia, providing effective capabilities in their respective operational environments, while the intellectual property stays here.”

CEA Technologies is an internationally recognised radar and communication systems supplier established by two former officers from the Royal Australian Navy in 1983.